How dangerous is alcohol...

[nvictor]

...to a body builder?

Liquors and beers. I can't wait to have 21. In my home country we don't have any age limitation so I used to drink with friends on friday nights. Here I have to wait a bit, because some of my roommates got caught and are going to be kicked out next semester...

Now that I'm bulking up, what must I be aware of?


--
I have strong muscles, I eat properly; thank you all
Have tried Agloco or the 7 dollar method to get some extra money?

 

[Warboss Alex]

Alcohol while in a calorie surplus is the worst thing you can do; empty calories which offer nothing nutritionally, not to mention possible hangovers, possible testosterone reduction, performance hit.. it's really not worth it. Bodybuilders do not drink recreationally, end of.

 

[nvictor]

Acknowledged


--
Thanks Warboss.

 

[Monster]

Obviously don't go out drinking every night. But it doesn't hurt to do so a couple times a month; no more than once a week though.

 

[WC2]

Alcohol is horrible for a bodybuilder. Beer is the worst. When I go out I usually limit my self to vodkas/tonics. Every shot of vodka has 64 calories while beers pack on 200+ calories.

As for your mental state, massive alcohol consumption over a long period of time can totally change your mental state. Been there, done that. Keep your drinks 3 - 4 at most when you go out.

 

[insidious]

Ha ha, here's what truly sucks.
You're hyper-diligent about doing your weight training, you go through the agony and sweat of watching your body transform into something you are more proud of each day...

and sometimes you want to go out and celebrate your wonderful boost in self-esteem, and in our culture, that means alcohol is involved more often than not.

WA was right on about the pitfalls of booze - buried in that list was testosterone reduction! Think about that man, testosterone reduction!

Bottom line is, don't abuse the stuff, use it sparingly, and even when you do, try to avoid drinking the point where you have a terrible hangover the next day. That is seriously bodily damage right there.

 

[Oxide]

if you drink make sure there are naked girls around you so it is at least somewhat worth it. if the girls are not getting naked, stop drinking quickly!

 

[Obsidian]

Vodka is to beer what Diet Coke is to cola.

 

[HollowHorizon]

Vodka is to beer what Diet Coke is to cola.

Well Put

 

[Monster]

Heineken Light!

 

[Fred Da Head]

The biggest problem about alcohol is, generally, it's catabolic effects. Also, beer has a slightly womanizing (I can't think of the proper word) effect; it's bad for your male hormones (mainly test) and "good" for your female hormones (mainly estrogen) which means that drinking beer not only destroys what you've done, it also inhibits further progress.

Drinking occasionally isn't too bad, especially if you're only "bodybuilding" to look good (in which case it's not really bodybuilding, is it?), but if you're competing, you really ought to know better.

 

[Hockey Playa]

why do people always look down on people wh arent bodybuilding competively. Isnt is allowed to not enter contests, and still be serious about your progress?

 

[Fred Da Head]

why do people always look down on people wh arent bodybuilding competively. Isnt is allowed to not enter contests, and still be serious about your progress?

It's just that most people who aren't competing but say "I'm a bodybuilder" don't have nearly the same kind of body (and the same kind of goals, dedication, means, etc) as those who are competing.

I don't look down on anyone who's not competing--I'm not competing, either. I think it's great that people are working out and taking care of their bodies. It's just that some people seem to think it sounds "cool" to say "I'm a bodybuilder" when their goals, training, and dedication isn't that of a competitive bodybuilder.

 

[Agent Zero]

How about Coke Zero? I always wonder what the heck I am drinking, but I like the taste....

 

[Oxide]

I hear a lot of diet pop = might as well drink a little regular.. but that's all i know..someone back me up?

Drinking is not baaaad if you want to get laaaaaaid. But you should also knoooooow how to get laid without alcohooooool.

 

[TyTe`EyEs]

Drinking is not baaaad if you want to get laaaaaaid. But you should also knoooooow how to get laid without alcohooooool.

Well put. We have always seemed to agree on this topic. Then again, I doubt either of us is planning on becoming a pro bodybuilder.

 

[blinkwatt]

if you drink make sure there are naked girls around you so it is at least somewhat worth it. if the girls are not getting naked, stop drinking quickly!

:crackup:

 

[Monster]

I hear a lot of diet pop = might as well drink a little regular.. but that's all i know..someone back me up?

No, that's not true. Most of the artificial sweeteners used in those diet drinks do not get digested. So only if you drank gallons of diet soda, then you might as well drink a little regular, because high doses of those articial sugars are unhealthy long term.

 

[mrRuckus]

It's just that some people seem to think it sounds "cool" to say "I'm a bodybuilder" when their goals, training, and dedication isn't that of a competitive bodybuilder.

If I play hockey and say "i'm a hockey player" it doesn't imply that i'm in the NHL.

 

[Fred Da Head]

If I play hockey and say "i'm a hockey player" it doesn't imply that i'm in the NHL.

It does mean, however, that you play in some type of league. At least where I come from.

Saying "I'm a bodybuilder" is the same--you might not be going to Mr. Olympia or the Arnold Classic every year, but it implies that you compete in local bodybuilding competitions, at least.